The Distribution and Supply Directorate is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the distribution system throughout the country to ensure supply availability to our customers. The Directorate is also responsible for System Development and Business Growth by undertaking electrification projects to connect new customers.

The distribution system comprises the main network from the national grid and isolated networks fed from stand-alone diesel power stations. The directorate also gets power from ESCOM (Malawi) to Lundazi District and ZESA (Zimbabwe) to supply Siavonga District. 

The Distribution and Supply Directorate is divided into five Divisions, four operating Divisions and one Division responsible for system development and growth . 

Operations and Maintenance Divisions: 
Lusaka Division - has its headquarters in Lusaka and covers the whole of Lusaka province (except for Luangwa district), and includes Mumbwa,  Siavonga and Chirundu districts. 

Copperbbelt Division-with headquarters in Kitwe and covers all the Copper belt  towns except for Ndola ( Luanshya, Kitwe, Kalulushi, Mufulira, Chingola and Chililabombwe.) 

Northern Division-with headquarters in Ndola and covers Ndola district, North Western, Luapula and Northern Provinces 

Southern Division - has its headquarters in Lusaka and covers Southern, Western, Eastern and Central Provinces.

Main Distribution Network
The distribution network covers the entire country and is operated at various voltage levels: 66kV (sub-transmission – mainly in the Northern, Luapula, eastern and western Provinces), 33kV, 11kV and 0.4kV. The coverage of the distribution network is as follows: 

§          Installed capacity:   1480MVA

§          66kV lines:               2180km

§          33kV lines:               2245km

§          11kV lines:               7000km

§          0.4kV lines:              extensive network 

Diesel Power Stations 
The Directorate operates a total of ten (10) Diesel Power Stations throughout the country. The stations are at Lukulu,  Luangwa, Zambezi, Mufumbwe, Mwinilunga, Kabompo and Kaputa. At these stations, the average cost of generating one unit (kWh) is K870/kWh as against an average tariff of K80/kWh. 

The average monthly direct generation cost for running the ten diesel stations is K1.53 billion compared to the average monthly sales revenues of K115 million hence an average subsidy to running the Diesel Stations of K1.42 billion. 

System Development and Business Growth (Electrification) 
In addition to operating and maintaining the distribution system, the directorate undertakes construction of new distribution lines to provide supplies to new customers.  The Directorate also undertakes the project management of GRZ funded Rural Electrification Projects.